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The narrator starts with disturbing imagery.
In between the eyes is a common target for fatal attacks, as any medium-deep puncture to that area results in brain penetration and usually irreversable damage.

It can be assumed that the narrator is beginning to make threats towards the lover, becoming more and more obsessive towards the subject of the song.
His obsession is becoming dangerous and maniacal, but it can be noted he still hasn’t acted on his words.

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This line brings in the theme of jealousy again.
This is a transition from his love of the subject, to his jealousy and greed towards him.
Instead of leaving him be, he begins to be obsessive and greedy, wanting the lover all to himself, which is probably a selfish impossibility. .

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The character reminisces of a time in the past where they had been close, setting out on a trip together.
It is revealed to the listener that the lover is also a man, adding another layer of complication onto the already convoluted theme.
The hairy chest is a symbol of masculinity, and the narrator can be seen as again going back to his love interest, recalling how similar they were, and how they acted as one, not separately. .

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This line is one of the first indications of the character’s jealousy.
This is repeated throughout the song, making it seem important.
It can be interpreted that the main character kept watch of the lover, even as they drifted apart.
This seems obsessive and creepy, and hints to the listener that there is something abnormal in the relationship so far. .

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However, the main character’s jealousy, or another problem, began to catch up with their relationship.
This may have ended up in a major occurrence, whether an argument, or a full-on split.
Whether or not this was the problem, the couple is separated at one point in the song, and this problem can be interpreted as the major reason. .

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The character elaborates on a problem, probably the cause of the aforementioned reservedness. Instead of it being a major problem, it was just a minor annoyance, like a stone in his shoe.

This ‘problem’ is probably the main character’s jealousy, and this line is a way of downplaying something that ends up becoming a major factor in their relationship, and a deciding factor in the story. .

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These lines are a metaphor for the feeling of love he feels for his romantic pursuit.
The character in the song likens his feelings for his romantic partner to the weightless feeling of flying, a sort of elation and carelessness.

However, he couples this feeling with ‘bearing down,’ which is a common phrase, meaning to be stringent or controlling.
This is the first hint in the song that the narrative character may be a bit controlling and obsessive, as it is not typical to use a statement of restriction or reservedness when describing love.
This sets the tone for the rest of the song; love with an omnipresent dementedness and corruption. .

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This song is an incredible extended metaphor.
Sufjan subtly paints a picture of the murder of a lover, fuelled by greed and jealousy. As the song progresses, the lover’s jealousy increases, and the listener is assuaged into small hints of a murder scene, small austere details pointing to a killing in the name of love.

He uses this extended scene as a metaphor for the greed that is inherent in love, and uses it to make an emotional and political point, a self-realization of his misgivings with an altogether tragic ending.

He uses this song to transition into the next song in the album, “I want to be well,” and paints a picture of mental instability that sets the stage for the next song quite adequately.

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